The November college admissions deadlines have mostly passed, and many early action applicants are breathing easier today. However, there are a few actions you can take to further improve your chances of acceptance!

1. Check that everything has been submitted. Of course you've requested submission of your transcripts, recommendations and scores. However, our worthy guidance departments are inundated at this time of year. A quick check-in with your counselor is worthwhile. Also, don't forget to send in any new SAT or ACT scores.

2. Make this your best quarter ever. This isn't the time to rest on your laurels. Most schools will consider 1st and 1nd quarter grades in their admissions decision, and nothing screams "motivated student" more than an upward trend in grades!Also, check in with your guidance department to ensure they will automatically send these new grades.

2. Make a personal connection. Locate the name of the admissions counselor who handles your geographic area. Send a simple email introduction, and update the counselor on any new accomplishments! If you are an aspiring athlete and haven't yet been recruited, reach out to your preferred coach and introduce yourself! Remember, this is a busy time for admissions folks, so don't pepper them!

3. Take a tour or schedule an interview if you haven't already done so. Demonstrated interest is important to many colleges. But, stay sane: you don't need to visit every school you apply to, but showing your interest to your top choice schools is always a plus.

4. Begin your regular decision applications. In our perfect worlds, we will be handily accepted to our top choice schools, but preparing for deferral or rejection is key. Don't wait until decisions roll in to begin your regular decision applications, especially if they aren't on the common app.

There's nothing quite like hitting that "submit" button for the first time. Relish it, cross your fingers, and don't forget to congratulate yourself on a job well done!

Choosing whether to take the SAT or ACT has never been a simple question, but students in their junior year will face an even more complex decision. With the launch of the redesigned in March 2016, our nation’s class of 2017 will have another decision to make:

Take the current SAT BEFORE the launch of the March 2016 SAT in order to avoid the unknown

Take the redesigned SAT

Avoid all the chaos and take the ACT!

Juniors are skeptical about the changes, and many worry about the implications of the new exam. “We are the guinea pigs, I guess,” grumbled one of my current SAT students, Jackie M. Jackie, an accomplished student near the top of her class, has elected to prepare early in the hope of avoiding the new test all together.

As a test prep tutor, I share some of my students’ wariness. Here’s why:

Longer turn around time for scores. While currently students wait about three weeks to receive their scores, the College Board is predicting an upwards of 10-week turnaround time for the redesigned SAT. Since we use student performance data from one test to improve for the next, this slow turnaround can really slow down the improvement process!

A Paucity of Test Prep Materials/Expertise. Sure, most of the basic skills such as math and reading comprehension contained in the current SAT will apply in the redesigned SAT, there are fundamental changes that will impact how we prepare for and take the test!

NO Calculator and Open Response Math Questions

For students with less than desirable arithmetic skills, the enhanced no calculator section of the exam could be a thorn in their sides. In addition, a greater number of open response questions leaves more room for error.

Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Class of 2017. Here are the silver linings:

No Penalty for a Wrong Answer! Gone will be the days of complex skipping strategies on the SAT. The model is simple: rack up points for correct answers.

Less Emphasis on Inaccessible Vocabulary: No more sentence completions replete with words most students have never heard. Instead, emphasis will rest on vocabulary in context.

Optional Essay: The redesigned SAT will now have an optional essay component rather than rolling the essay score into the Writing score. Careful, though: most colleges and universities have not yet published their policies about whether they will require the Essay for the class of 2017. Best bet? Just take it.

In truth, the new SAT looks more relevant, real-world, and possibly more predictive of college performance.

My advice to the Class of 2017? Look at the launch of the redesigned SAT as a unique opportunity rather than a burden!You have more choices than any students in recent history.Carpe Diem!

Choosing whether to take the SAT or ACT has never been a simple question, but students in their junior year will face an even more complex decision. With the launch of the redesigned in March 2016, our nation’s class of 2017 will have another decision to make:

Take the current SAT BEFORE the launch of the March 2016 SAT in order to avoid the unknown

Take the redesigned SAT

Avoid all the chaos and take the ACT!

Juniors are skeptical about the changes, and many worry about the implications of the new exam. “We are the guinea pigs, I guess,” grumbled one of my current SAT students, Jackie M. Jackie, an accomplished student near the top of her class, has elected to prepare early in the hope of avoiding the new test all together.

As a test prep tutor, I share some of my students’ wariness. Here’s why:

Longer turn around time for scores. While currently students wait about three weeks to receive their scores, the College Board is predicting an upwards of 10-week turnaround time for the redesigned SAT. Since we use student performance data from one test to improve for the next, this slow turnaround can really slow down the improvement process!

A Paucity of Test Prep Materials/Expertise. Sure, most of the basic skills such as math and reading comprehension contained in the current SAT will apply in the redesigned SAT, there are fundamental changes that will impact how we prepare for and take the test!

NO Calculator and Open Response Math Questions

For students with less than desirable arithmetic skills, the enhanced no calculator section of the exam could be a thorn in their sides. In addition, a greater number of open response questions leaves more room for error.

Luckily, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Class of 2018. Here are the silver linings:

No Penalty for a Wrong Answer! Gone will be the days of complex skipping strategies on the SAT. The model is simple: rack up points for correct answers.

Less Emphasis on Inaccessible Vocabulary: No more sentence completions replete with words most students have never heard. Instead, emphasis will rest on vocabulary in context.

Optional Essay: The redesigned SAT will now have an optional essay component rather than rolling the essay score into the Writing score. Careful, though: most colleges and universities have not yet published their policies about whether they will require the Essay for the class of 2017. Best bet? Just take it.

In truth, the new SAT looks more relevant, real-world, and possibly more predictive of college performance.

My advice to the Class of 2017? Look at the launch of the redesigned SAT as a unique opportunity rather than a burden!You have more choices than any students in recent history.Carpe Diem!

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Author

Jen Rosier is owner and Founder of PrepU and owner of Tutor Doctor Suburban Boston. An expert in admissions and test prep, Jen is all about simplifying and de-stressing the admissions process. Oh, and helping families afford an education!